Clemson professor publishes research on African-American males in gifted programs

Published: February 13, 2013

By Laura Hicks

CLEMSON — Lamont A. Flowers, distinguished professor of educational leadership in the Eugene T. Moore School of Education at Clemson University, has been published in a new book titled “A Call for Change: Providing Solutions for Black Male Achievement,” produced by the Council of the Great City Schools. The book consists of new research from a variety of national experts on the black male experience in education. 

Flowers’ chapter, titled “Increasing the Representation of African American Males in Gifted and Talented Programs,” was co-written with James L. Moore III from Ohio State University. They began their research process by reviewing the scholarly literature on the benefits of participating in gifted and talented programs. They also analyzed national data to explore the degree of representation of African-American males in gifted programs. 

“Our research suggests that one strategy for expanding educational opportunities for African-American males is to focus the attention of teachers and school leaders on identifying and selecting African-American males to participate in gifted and talented programs,” Flowers said. “It is our contention that with an enhanced focus on gifted education, we may be able to support the type of development that is needed to enable more African-American young men to reach their highest potential.”

Flowers is executive director of Clemson’s Charles H. Houston Center for the Study of the Black Experience in Education. By bringing this issue to light, he hopes that teachers, school leaders and educational policymakers can examine and enhance school policies and practices to ensure that more African-American male students participate in gifted and talented programs.

“Given our country’s goal to support academic achievement for all students, increasing the numbers of African-American males who participate in gifted and talented programs is an important objective that could potentially enhance the state of education in America,” Flowers said.

The book was a product of the National Summit on Educational Excellence and Opportunity for African American Males that was held in August 2012 in Washington, D.C.

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